The multipurpose wonder-tree
The above photo, by Anthony Simons of ICRAF, is a
classic example of the characteristic "drumstick" pods of
Moringa oleifera.
For centuries indigenous
people in northern
What is Moringa oleifera?
Moringa oleifera is a fast growing, aesthetically pleasing
small tree adapted to arid, sandy conditions. The species is
characterized by its long, drumstick shaped pods that contain its seeds.
Within the first year of growth, moringa has been shown to grow up to 4 meters
and can bear fruit within the same first year (Folkard
and Sutherland, 1996). Virtually every part of the tree is beneficial in
some way, which is of great importance in areas where people have a direct
dependence on trees, crops and animals for their livelihood. The studies
that have been performed on moringa have taken place primarily in
click here and
head to the ICRAF web page for more on the growth habits and requirements of
moringa
This is the flower of Moringa oleifera.
Click on photo
to connect to the Moringa Home Page by Mark Olson.
This is another of Mark's photos depicting the seeds
and pods of Moringa oleifera. Click on this photo
to connect to his homepage, well worth the visit.
What are some
of the benefits?
According to
the research I have done, the benefits of Moringa oleifera
are almost too numerous to name. However, several benefits seem to be
repeated again and again, therefore leading me to believe these are the most
important and useful in extreme situations, like drought conditions in arid
regions or areas in the wet tropics experiencing rapid rates of
deforestation. Moringa is naturalized in
One brief side note that is definitely worth
mentioning, however, is the possibility that cultivation of moringa as an
exotic species will lead to it becoming an invasive species, therefore negating
the positive aspects it presents. On the PIER (Pacific Island Ecosystems at
Risk) page regarding moringa, it is portrayed as a potential danger to
sensitive ecosystems because of its success at naturalization. However,
it has not been yet proven to be a weed species and more monitoring needs to be
done to see if this may be a possibility.
What are some of the uses?
First, I will present a brief summary of the medicinal,
commercial and nutritional benefits of moringa. Second, I will explore
more in depth the ability of moringa seeds to combat the problem of unsafe
drinking water by acting as a coagulant during water purification.
The use of moringa for medicinal purposes may seem to have its roots in folklore and myth, but indigenous people have found much success in using various parts of the tree to cure many physical ailments. For example, the juice from the leaves is believed to stabilize blood pressure, the flowers are used to cure inflammations, the pods are used for joint pain, the roots are used to treat rheumatism, and the bark can be chewed as a digestive. These are just some of uses presented by Optima of Africa, Ltd.
Most sources seem to agree on the excellent nutritional
benefits of moringa. Because the tree produces leaves during the dry
season and during times of drought, it is an excellent source of green
vegetable when little other food is available (Folkard
and Sutherland, 1996). The leaves provide many necessary vitamins and
minerals and can be eaten cooked or dried. The foliage has been compared
to spinach in both its appearance and nutritional quality. According to Optima of Africa, Ltd., a group that has been working with the tree in
Protein 42%, Calcium 125%, Magnesium 61%, Potassium 41%, Iron 71%, Vitamin A 272%, Vitamin C 22%
These results are
impressive, especially when considering this nutrition is available when food
sources may be scarce. The leaves and branches may also be used for
fodder when nothing else is useable, and the high nutrient content of the
leaves would make it a prime candidate to incorporate into a mulching
system. This is assuming, however, that the leaves are in abundance and not
required as a human food source.
In addition to the leaves, the
pods, or drumsticks, are a great commercial product. In
This photo by A. Njenga is from Agroforestry
Today, July-September 1996,
Volume 8, Number 3. Click on the photo to go to the ICRAF homepage.
Moringa oleifera and Water Purification
Within the pods are possibly the best part of the tree...the
seeds! Not only can they be pressed for a high
grade oil, comparable to olive oil, but the presscake
remaining after oil extraction has been shown to retain the active ingredients
for coagulation, making it a marketable commodity (Folkard
and Sutherland, 1996). According to Meitzner
and Price (Amaranth to Zai Holes: Ideas for
Growing Food Under Difficult Conditions, ECHO, 1996), Moringa oleifera has been compared to alum in its
effectiveness at removing suspended solids from turbid water, but with a major
advantage. Because it can be produced locally, "using moringa rather
than alum would save foreign exchange and generate farm and employment
income." The potential for moringa to create a new market for a
community is there, and studies and projects are taking place examining this
potential.
At the Thyolo Water Treatment Works in
click here to go to an article by Folkard and Sutherland at the Trees for Life site
This is Dr. Folkard.
Similarly, Optima of Africa, Ltd. is working with local
farmers in
click
here to go directly to Optima's page on Phytofloc
How does it work?
The processing
of the seed is extremely simple. The mature pods can be dried naturally
on the tree, or removed and then dried. The seed coats and wings are
removed and the kernel is crushed into a powder, similar to making
cornmeal. Next, the powder is added to a small amount of water and shaken
for a few minutes, then strained into the larger container of water. It
should be stirred vigorously for two minutes, then slowly for ten to fifteen
minutes. It should be allowed to sit undisturbed for at least an hour so
the solids attached to the powder particles can settle to the bottom.
Because bacteria is attached to solids, this process
removes particles and bacteria as well. It is recommended that boiling or
further water treatment be done to finalize the purification process (Optima of
Africa, Ltd.).
Seedman.com is just like it sounds
Purdue University's extensive moringa page
Church World Service sponsors a great moringa site with lots of informative links
ECHO’s page on Moringa, a great site to
browse for tropical agriculture in general http://www.echonet.org/moringa3.htm
Related Links...
Dendrology at
CIFOR-Center for International Forestry Research--'nuf said
ForestWorld-photos, woods of the world, certification, plus and extensive internet directory
In addition to all of the above mentioned citations, I received a good amount of information and direction from the following. If it weren't for their help and the leads I got from them, I wouldn't have been able to write a darn thing:
Josh Amend, RPCV/Tanzania,
William Creighton, Optima of Africa, Ltd.
George Escobar, Peace Corps/Tanzania
Mark Olson,
Photos used with permission
For any questions, comments, or criticisms, contact me at juniperspp@yahoo.com.
This page was created by Jen Papillo, Graduated Master's International student,
Back to Jen's Peace Corps Page.
The following links may be of interest:
The Loret Miller Ruppe Peace Corps Master's International Program at Michigan Tech